Costa Rica
A Pacific Coast of Wildlife, Adventure and Discovery.
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast
Costa Rica combines the celebrated Pura Vida spirit with exceptional natural diversity, harbouring around 5% of the world’s known biodiversity. Although the country has both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, its principal yachting grounds extend along the Pacific, from Guanacaste and the Gulf of Papagayo to Quepos, the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce. Owners, guests and crew can explore rainforest, wildlife, remote bays, national parks and protected marine areas, with opportunities for surfing, sportfishing and scuba diving.
Destination Highlights
- Pacific Coast Cruising
- Rainforest & Wildlife
- Sportfishing & Diving, Surfing
- Nature-led Adventure
- National Parks & Marine Areas
- Superyacht Marina Network
Costa Rica is particularly rewarding by yacht, allowing owners and guests to move between well-equipped marina bases and less accessible natural areas. Captains and yacht managers benefit from practical yacht support and convenient locations for organising guest transfers, crew logistics and inland excursions. The country also fits naturally into regional itineraries linking Mexico and Central America with Panama, the Galápagos and the wider Pacific, although clearance, cruising permits and access to protected areas require advance planning.
International Access
Costa Rica's two international gateways are Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste. Frequent domestic flights also connect the country's main destinations, providing quick access to marinas and coastal regions.
Yachting Infrastructure
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast offers full-service marina berthing, yacht agents, provisioning, fuel and bunkering. A boatyard at the marina in Quepos provides travelift haul-out and a range of maintenance and repair services.
- Max berthing: marina berth up to 107 m LOA and about 9 m draft
- Max haul-out: travelift up to 200 tonnes and about 40 m LOA
See Recommended Superyacht Services below for specific marinas, haul-out facilities, and skilled trades in Costa Rica.
Recommended Superyacht Services
in Costa Rica
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Entry, Clearance & Cruising Regulations for Costa Rica
Local Expertise: Martinique clearance information reviewed by local yacht agents - July 2026.
1. Arrival & Clearance
Foreign yachts must first enter through an authorised port and complete Port Captain, Immigration, Customs and applicable health formalities before cruising. Temporary import (VEHITUR) and navigation authorisation are required, with longer-term marina-based permits available for eligible vessels (MOPT). Although an agent is not universally mandated, a recommended local superyacht agent should coordinate advance notice, inspections and port-specific procedures for visiting superyachts.
Need clearance assistance for Costa Rica?
Contact a Recommended Yacht Agent
Yachts must proceed directly to their approved clearance location and should not cruise or anchor elsewhere before completing entry formalities. Depending on the selected port, inspections may be conducted at an authorized marina under the coordination of a licensed Port Agent.
Official Ports of Entry/Departure
- Golfito Port - clearance can be coordinated at the established yacht marinas
- Quepos Port - at the local marina
- Papagayo Port (Culebra Bay) - at the local marina
- Flamingo Port - at the local marina
- Puntarenas Port - at the yacht club and cruise-terminal facilities
- Caldera Port - primarily commercial; advance authorisation and coordination required for yachts
Any other ports, check with your yacht agent first.
2. Documents required
Generally prepare originals and multiple electronic or printed copies of:
- Vessel Certificate of Registry
- International clearance /departure document from the last port
- Crew and guest lists
- Passport copies for all persons aboard
- Visas or supporting residence permits where applicable
- Record of the yacht’s last ten ports, including dates and countries
- Captain’s power of attorney or letter of authorisation
- Main-engine and registered-equipment details, including make, model, horsepower and serial numbers
- Completed Maritime Health Declaration
- Meat and animal-product inventory (pork, beef, chicked & related products), including type, quantity, date and country of origin
- Details of pets, firearms, drones, helicopters and other controlled equipment
- Charter licence, insurance certificate and marina agreement when operating commercially
An independently registered tender or chase boat requires its own vessel documents, crew list and clearance.
3. Fees
Port clearance, Coast Guard departure, domestic or international zarpe, overtime, health or biosecurity inspection and agency charges can apply. Protected areas levy separate entrance, anchoring, diving and activity fees. Licensed charter yachts also incur the statutory charge based on gross charter income.
4. Visa & Immigration
Admission depends on nationality and immigration category. Group-one nationals may receive up to 180 days, while other groups are generally admitted for shorter periods, commonly 30 days. Immigration determines the authorised stay on arrival. Passports, applicable visas, evidence of sufficient funds and an onward travel plan are required. No general pre-arrival online immigration authorisation for yacht arrivals has been identified.
Crew changes are processed through Immigration using updated crew documentation, passport and visa details, flight information and the corresponding sign-on or sign-off records.
Official visa information / or online form links (if available):
5. Biosecurity / Quarantine
Arrival documentation includes a Maritime Health Declaration and a detailed inventory of meat and related provisions. Health or SENASA officers may inspect refrigerated stores, animal products and pets. Controlled food, plant and animal items must be declared and retained aboard until authorised. No specific yacht antifouling certificate requirement has been confirmed.
6. Navigation & Cruising
Yachts require valid temporary-import and navigation authorisation/cruising permit. Domestic zarpes (port-to-port sailing clearances) may be required between ports, while qualifying marina-based permit holders (MOPT) can use an approved navigation plan.
Yachts visiting Costa Rica’s protected coastal areas, including National Parks and Marine Protected Areas along the Pacific Coast, must follow the guidelines established by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC-Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación) including regulations regarding anchoring, permitted areas of operation, dockage, and applicable park fees and permits.
Cocos Island National Park
Located approximately 300 nm southwest of mainland Costa Rica, Cocos Island National Park is one of the world's premier diving destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to its exceptional ecological value, access to the island is strictly regulated by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). Visiting Cocos Island requires separate advance approval, submit your admission application several weeks to at least 15 days before your planned arrival. For the required documentation check with your agent.
Operational regulations in Cocos Island: anchoring only in authorized areas, fishing is prohibited, waste must remain on board, diving allowed in authorized areas, drone operations/scientific activities/commercial filming require additional permits, park entrance, anchorage, diving and filming fees apply.
Sportfishing requires current INCOPESCA (Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura: the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture) vessel as well as participant licences.
7. Chartering
Foreign-flagged yachts of 24 metres or more may charter under an ICT licence, issues by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, the Costa Rican Tourism Board. Applications require registration or seaworthiness documentation, insurance, a contract with an authorised Costa Rican tourist marina and valid Temporary Import (VEHITUR) or MOPT status. Licences are issued for one year and are renewable with subsequent one year increments. The State charge is 2.5% of gross income from each charter service, with charter activity documented through the marina.
8. VAT/duty exemptions
No general VAT exemption for yacht repairs or technical work has been confirmed. Duty-relieved importation of spare parts may be available under an approved temporary-import procedure, subject to prior Customs authorisation.
9. Private Jets
Juan Santamaría International Airport and Guanacaste Airport are the principal private-jet gateways. International flights complete customs and immigration at an approved airport of entry, with advance handling, parking and any applicable DGAC permission arranged before arrival.
10. Private Helicopters
Foreign helicopter operations require advance coordination with Costa Rica’s DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), including flight, customs and landing permissions. Approval to operate from a yacht helipad or within protected areas must be obtained separately before use.
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended as a general guide and may be subject to change. Captains, crew and guests are advised to confirm the latest entry requirements, fees and operational procedures with the relevant authorities and their appointed yacht agent prior to arrival.
